The Stones showed character following Monday’s disappointing draw against Taunton as they came from behind twice to collect all three points on the south coast against Weymouth.
George Elokobi made 4 changes from Monday as he looked for the ideal reaction and in the end, it wasn’t just because of Monday.
It nearly got off to the worst possible start when Weymouth skipper Tom Bearwish powered his way through the Stones defence and looked destined to power his effort past Lucas Covolan, but for an important block from Raphe Brown.
It was a bit of a wake up call for the boys but they soon started to find some rhythm and Chi Ezennolim who was a constant nuisance down the left hand side delivered a brilliant ball into the box which only needed a touch on the end of it but no one gambled and it saw it’s way for a goal kick.
The game was very much a physical battle in midfield for the first half hour and it was the home side that took full advantage of it 26 minutes in. Brandon Goodship delivered an out-swinging corner towards the head of Charlie Rowan who calmly headed past Covolan despite Conor Kelly’s best efforts to clear off the line.
Despite the set back, the Stones nearly responded instantly when Lamar Reynolds played in Ogo Obi but his first time shot was denied by the left leg of Gerard Benfield from an acute angle.
The lads kept plugging away and got their equaliser with just over 10 minutes of the first half remaining when Ezennolim played a reverse ball to Reynolds who delivered the perfect cross for the big man, Levi Amantchi who powered his header home from close range.
This had the Stones tails up as Reynolds nearly found the back of the net himself when his deflected effort from 12 yards out was just about pushed away for a corner from Benfield. Just a few minutes after, Liam Sole nearly got his first goal for the club as Devonte Aransibia’s curling cross found the winger whose bouncing header struck the top of the crossbar.
In the second half, the Stones looked to continue their good work from the end of the first period but hit the self-destruct button just 6 minutes in. Covolan played the ball short for Sam Bone whose looked up for Aransibia. Aransibia is intercepted straight away from behind which allowed Ben Thomson to strike a low effort into the bottom right hand corner to regain Weymouth’s lead.
The gaffer responded with bringing Sol Wanjau-Smith into the action to try and force some urgency in the Weymouth defence. Maidstone managed to find their second equaliser of the afternoon just 4 minutes after he was brought on.
Similar story to the first goal but this time, it was Liam Sole who was the provider as his beautiful delivery found the unmarked Amantchi at the back post who finished his header with ease to get his second of the afternoon.
Amantchi who was having plenty of joy up top may have been disappointed not to get his hat-trick as he raced through just 3 minutes later but Benfield was up to the task on this occasion as he parried his shot away from danger.
No matter though as the Stones managed to find the third goal as the ever impressive Brown made a bursting run down the right hand side before crossing for Sole who notched in to finish from close range and grab his first goal for the club.
With 8 minutes of added time indicated, it was always going to be tense inside The Bob Lucas Stadium and Covolan had to be on his toes as he parried away Dan Roberts’ powerful drive from the edge of the box which was closest Weymouth came to grabbing a point.
Weymouth: Charlie Rowan 26’, Ben Thomson 51’
Maidstone United: Levi Amantchi 34’, 61’, Liam Sole 73’
Weymouth: 1. Gerard Benfield, 2. Calvin Brooks, 3. Leo Hamblin, 4. Jordan Thompson (14. Teddy Rowe 65 mins) , 5. Charlie Rowan, 6. Scott Rees (17. Joel Rollinson 65 mins), 7. David Sesay, 8. Tom Bearwish (C), 9. Dan Roberts, 10. Brandon Goodship, 11. Ben Thomson (16. Keelan O’Connell 61 mins). Subs not used: 12. Tom Stagg, 15. Freddie Monk
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 3. Chi Ezennolim, 5. George Fowler (C), 6. Raphe Brown, 10. Lamar Reynolds, 11. Devonte Aransibia, 14. Ogo Obi (9. Sol Wanjau-Smith-Smith 57 mins), 15. Sam Bone, 16. Liam Sole (7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft 75 mins), 17. Levi Amantchi (19. Perri Iandolo 90+8’), 20. Conor Kelly. Subs not used: 8. Riley Court, 12. Harley Earle
